Our Mission: To offer camps to adults with developmental disabilities, enhancing their lives through recreation, socialization and life skills education.
CampBlueSkies.org
Back at camp & full of joy
Kim Conroy named Executive Director
Camp Blue Skies welcomed Kim Conroy as its first Executive Director in June.
As a longtime leader with the YMCA of Greater Charlotte and current Executive Director of YMCA Camp Thunderbird, Kim brings with her a wealth of experience in camp operations, risk management, strategic planning, programming, and nearly every other area of importance that will help fulfill our mission of serving adults with developmental disabilities.
"Over the past few years, we have been working towards hiring an Executive Director to oversee operations, build long-term sustainability, and allow me to focus on board development and
fundraising,'" said Dick Sesler. "I knew the Executive Director needed to be the right person at the right time. This spring, all of the pieces fell into place."
Our team met Kim when we launched our weekend session at Camp Thunderbird. She joined the Camp Blue Skies Board of Directors in 2020.
"I am inspired daily by our campers and caregivers," Kim says. "I look forward to leading the incredibly talented team to improve and expand the opportunities and experiences for our campers."
Her responsibilities include hiring and managing staff; camp operations; strategic planning; fundraising; and fiscal management. Kim reports to the Board of Directors.
As for Dick, he has no intention of going anywhere anytime soon! "I look forward
to working with Kim, continuing to serve as President of the Board of Directors, attending all camp sessions, and being actively involved in fundraising," he said.
A record # of campers signed up for October camps. This means we need record # of volunteers. Sign up now at CampBlueSkies.org/volunteer
SUMMER 2023
Weekend
Georgia
Williams Syndrome
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: FOUNDING MEMBERS HONORED; NEW MEMBERS AND OFFICERS INSTALLED.
Three members of our original board are now part of the Emeritus Board. “John Alexander, Tom Cox, and Phil Norwood have helped build Camp Blue Skies into the strong organization that it is today,” says Dick Sesler, who is the Board President. “I am eternally grateful for their guidance and support, and to my delight and our benefit they all want to stay connected to our work.”
Long-time board member and volunteer Jon Beall will serve as Vice President. Jon plans to work closely with Dick to increase the number of camps we offer and our volunteer base. Rob Aulebach was appointed Treasurer and Claire Bingham will serve as Secretary. A big thank you to Anita Blanchard and Aisha Thomas for their years of service and we look forward to them continuing to be involved in a volunteer capacity.
A big welcome to the new board members: Edward Imbrogno, whose son
Eddie is a long-time camper, and Patrick Baker, Charlotte City Attorney. “Both Ed and Patrick bring distinct perspectives to our work,” Dick says. “Our Board of Directors continues its evolution to being community-based.”
Board of Directors
Rob Aulebach, Treasurer
Patrick Baker
Jon Beall, Vice President
Claire Bingham, DPT, Secretary
Dr. Tom Gavigan
Edward Imbrogno
Dr. Dalton Cox
Sara Fedyna
Andy Kane
Dee Schwab
Richard Sesler, President
John D. Williams
Brent Wolfe, PhD
Emeritus Board
John Alexander
Tom Cox
Phil Norwood
AARP Purpose Prize Fellow award makes big impact
In October 2022, Dick Sesler received an AARP Purpose Prize Fellow award for founding Camp Blue Skies during a celebration at the National Gallery in Washington, D.C.
The AARP Purpose Prize honors individuals age 50 and older using their knowledge and life experience to solve challenging social problems. In total, 15 people were recognized. Dick was named a Purpose Prize Fellow for founding our camps. The award also included a $10,000 donation for Camp Blue Skies.
The honorees’ organizations also received a yearlong series of workshops and consultations to increase their scope of work. Some of the topics that Dick, along with members of our team and the Board of Directors, have worked on include sustainability, governance, fundraising, marketing/ social media, and more.
“While the celebration and the donation were amazing, the bigger prize is working with such a powerful array of professionals,” says Dick. “These opportunities are quite literally priceless. We’re coming out of this a much stronger, thoughtful organization.”
DAR Community Service Award
Dick Sesler received the DAR Community Service Award from the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).
They honored Dick for his work with Camp Blue Skies and its impact on the lives of adults with developmental disabilities and their parents/ caregivers. The chapter also made a special donation for art supplies for our programs.
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In the photo (from left): Annette Imbrogno, Chapter Vice Regent, Dick Sesler, and Pamela Richardson, the Chapter Regent. Annette’s son, Eddie, attends Camp Blue Skies.
Scan this code with your phone’s camera for a video on AARP Purpose Prize Fellows
Top (from left): Phil Norwood, Dick Sesler, and John Alexander; Bottom: (from left): Tom Cox; Patrick Baker; and Ed Imbrogno
Nothing but blue skies and smiles from now on!
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Save these dates: Upcoming fundraisers
All proceeds benefit our camps for adults with developmental disabilities. Pickleball Charlotte returns this year as the event sponsor and host/organizer. Sign up as an individual or a team. VIP: $75, individual; $125, team (includes entry fee, food voucher, & raffle tickets); Regular: $25, individual; $50, team.
Love to play pickleball? Don’t miss our second Pickleball for Camp tourney/ fundraiser on Oct. 21, 10 am-2 pm, on Pickleball Charlotte’s indoor courts at 10930 Granite St., Charlotte, NC 28273.
Please note: Registration opens on Sept. 7 for campers and their families. The general public can sign up starting Sept. 21.
Don’t play? Come out and cheer everyone on! Enjoy raffle prizes, a food truck, and more.
The inaugural Pickleball for Camp tourney in 2022 raised over $4,000 for our camps.
Got a question or want to donate a raffle prize?
Email Mary@CampBlueSkies.org.
Nearly all of the boats are full for the 2023 Hooked on Camp Fishing Derby on Sept. 7-8!
Anglers will have the exclusive opportunity to fish on Lake Broyhill, a pristine 140-acre lake teeming with largemouth bass and bream. The lake is part of YMCA Camp Harrison, the North Carolina home of our 5-day, 4-night camps, 90 miles northwest of Charlotte.
Proceeds help bridge the gap between the camper fee and the true cost per camper. This year's derby goal is $25,000 to help cover expenses for 22 campers. In Fall 2022, despite Hurricane Ian's wind and rain, the fishing derby fundraiser raised over $20,000, and nearly 400 fish were caught (and released).
Interested in getting one of the last spots or being put on the waitlist?
Email Mary@CampBlueSkies.org
Around 300 new and familiar friends (a record!) raised nearly $75,000 (another record!) at our third annual Blue Skies Bash Friend-and Fund-raiser on Feb. 24 at The Barrel Room at Triple C Brewing in Charlotte.
Thanks to the sponsors, “Camp counselors” (hosts), and Fun Committee for making the night a success.
Save the Date: The 2024 Blue Skies Bash is Feb. 23 at The Barrel Room. Tickets will go on sale in January.
Hoops For Camp returns in March 2024! And, fingers crossed, we may have a twist on our annual bracket challenge fundraiser. Keep an eye on your email inboxes in February for updates.
Got a question?
Email Mary@CampBlueSkies.org.
GOLD LEVEL SPONSORS
SILVER LEVEL SPONSORS
Thanks to the rock stars who make camp possible
Camp wouldn't happen without the dedicated people who give their time and support, all priceless gifts. NC1 and NC2: 2022 sessions in North Carolina; WS: Williams Syndrome; GA: Georgia; WK: Weekend
Laurene Abaka-Mensah: NC2
Samuel Aguilar: GA
Shelley Alvord: NC1
Woody Appleby: NC1, NC2, GA, WS
Riley Axe: NC2, WS
Sally Badoo: NC2
Arilyn Baldowski: GA
Alex Ball: NC1, NC2
Bradford Barry: NC1
Emily Barry: NC2
Robin Barschow: NC2
Jon Beall: NC2
Erica Bentley: WK
Matt Boehlke: NC1, GA
Kristin Bogner: NC2, WK, WS
Ryan Bost: NC1, GA
Blake Boyd: GA
Noah Bradley: WS, WK
Cameron Bray: NC1, WK
Mike Breen: WS
Karen Breth: NC2; WS
Sue Bruce: WK
Carter Cameron: WK
Russ Case: NC2
John Cashion: WK
Lisa Cashion: WK
David Caswell: GA
Bryan Chambers: NC1, WK
Chelsea Chesser: NC1
Lindsay Chute: NC2
Patrick Cole: WS
Millie Cox: NC2; WS
Tom Cox: NC2; WS
Michael Coulter: NC1, NC2, WK, GA, WS
Chad Crockford: NC2, WS
DJ Ceasefire: NC2
DJ Frankie: NC1, NC2, WK
Bailey Davis: NC2, WK
Beverly Davis: NC2
Michael “Boomer” Davis: NC1
Keyla De La Cruz: GA
Zoey DeLaney: NC2
Hannah Derby: WK
Francis Desiderio: GA
Nick Doris: NC1, NC2, GA, WS
Barbara Doyle: NC1
Jennifer Drolet: WK
Laura Duarte: WK
Sarah Duckstein: GA
Max Duggins: NC1
Caylee Durden: WS
Norrie Edge: NC2
Fe Egas: NC2
Eric Davis Band: WK
Exceptional Yoga: WK
Mobley Estes: NC2
Mackenzie Farmer: WS
Lauren Fasth: NC1
Hailey Faubion: WS
Mary Hahn Fetter: WK
Kris Fetter: WK
Amy Firth: WK
Chante Fletcher: WS
Julia Franklin: NC1, NC2
Morgan Galloway: WS
Andy Gamble: NC1, WS
Steve Gassaway: NC1
Michelle Gassaway: NC1, NC2
Connie Gelin: GA
Kendra Gemmill: NC2
Allison Georgescu: WS
Alex Gonzalez: WS
Haley Grayson: WK
Kelly Gregory: WK
Jen Griswold: NC1, NC2, WK, WS
Jon Griswold: NC1, NC2, WK, WS
Fern Guimond: WK
Roger Hayes: NC1
Juan Hernandez: WS
Kameron Hicks: WS
Jack Hicks: NC2
Scott Hundertmark: GA
Hunter Callaghan Band: GA
Steve Huntley: NC1
Kendall Johnson: WS
Laughton Jones: NC1, WK
Scoggin Jones: NC1, NC2
Stephanie Jordan: WS
Catrina Judge: WS
Megan Keim: WS
Darlene Kerr: NC1
Kevin King: NC2
Kara King: WK
Julie Kinney: GA
Chris Klein: WS
McKenna Knock: NC1
Jacob Krejci: WS
Tom Lamb: NC1
Jennifer Lathan: NC1
Laughing Matters: WS
Jisu Lee: GA
April Lee: WK
Christine Lehman: NC1
Jennifer Lewis: NC1
Joel Liestman: WS
Mandy Little: NC2
Rachel LoCurto: WK
Deb Lollar: NC2
Lynn Lomax: NC2
Rachel Lowe: NC1
Eve Ludy: WS
Madison Lund: WK
Tori Mabe: WK
Kate Maccarone: WS
Chris Marthinson: WK
Sarah Martinez: WK
Shannon Maxwell: NC1, NC2
Goldie McGee: NC2
Jessica McKinney: NC2
Lori McKoy: WK
Tony McKoy: WK
Breayna Mentz: WS
Cayla Merchel: NC2
Julia Mesawich: NC1
Scott Middleton: NC1, NC2
Cheryl Mimy: GA
Haleigh Moore: GA
Patrick Moore: NC1
Jamie Morgan: NC2
Raja Munthe: GA
Pat Murphy: GA
Deepa Naik & Anissa: WK
Missie Paner: WK
Mia Passarelli: NC2
Mary Jo Perrette: WS
Mikalia Pervis: NC2
Chase Pettey: WS
Dayana Pimentel: GA
Margo Potts: NC1
Jasmine Pratt: WK
Raechelle Raymore: WS
Debby Rea: NC1, NC2, WK, GA, WS
Natasha Reese: NC1
Sophia Remolde: NC1, NC2, GA, WS
Sherry Rhinehalt: WK
Shari Rognstad: NC2
Hanne Rolles: NC2
Alan Ross: GA, WS
JD Ross: NC1
Joe Ross: WK
Williams Rylee: WK
Kyle Scott: WS
MaryGrace Seaborn: WK
Arame Seck: WK
Nabu Seck: WK
Natalie Senglaub: NC1
Debbie Sert: WS
Doug Sheffield: NC1, NC2, GA, WS
Kate Shupe: NC2
Katelyn Snow: WK
Janice Sorensen: GA, WS
Dan Sturzenbecker: NC1, NC2, WK, GA, WS
Becca Taunton: GA
Shawn Taylor: NC2, WK
David Taylor: NC2, WK
Dominique Taylor: WS
David Terrell: NC1
Jenna Theroux: WK
Kathleen Thomas: NC1
B Townes: NC1
Emily Tymchuk: GA
Kate Tyree: WK
Sam Uwoghiren: NC2
Gene Vaughan: NC1, NC2
Daniela Vega: NC2
Olaudo Victor-Ofoegbu: GA
Mark von Waldner: GA
Trina von Waldner: GA
Jacqueline Wabler: WS
Dani Williams: WS
Kyra Wilson: WK, WS
Katee Wilson: WS
Katelyn Witherspoon: NC1
Bridget Zapolnik: WK
Jason Zheng: NC2
Amber Zimmerlink: NC1
Volunteers, outreach priorities for new director
To help us increase our impact and serve more campers, Christina Orr (left) became Camp Blue Skies’ first Recruiting & Outreach Director in March. She attended both sessions in Georgia and has been to recruiting events in the Charlotte area.
Christina is working closely with Alison Barry (right, Volunteer Director) and Mallie Bragg (Georgia Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator).
Christina has worked for over 20 years in the manufacturing and non-profit sectors, including organizations serving people with developmental disabilities. She lives near Lenoir and loves spending time (especially outdoors) with family and friends.
Got an idea to help us sign up more volunteers? Email: Christina@CampBlueSkies.org.
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Thank you to our supporters
We are grateful for the organizations, foundations, and individuals who provide financial and in-kind support for Camp Blue Skies. This list recognizes donations from Jan. 15, 2022, to June 16, 2023.
ZIPLINERS ($2,500+)
Anonymous
AARP
Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors
John and Anne Barry
Be Like Tom, Inc.
Berryhill Foundation
Centerlane Capital
Charlotte Woman's Club
Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.
Michael Coulter
Cox and Company
Domtar Paper
Duke Energy Foundation
The Bruce and Deborah Duncan Foundation
Elevation Church
Faison Enterprises
Forrest Lennard LLC
Mr. Lynn and Dr. Anisya T. Fritz
Gambrell Foundation
Steve and Michelle Gassaway
Jon and Jennifer Griswold
T.Patrick Hammeke
John and Mary Franklin Foundation
Catherine Pierson Lego
Art Lund
Merancas Foundation
Mid-America Apartments
Phil and Marianne Norwood
Pickleball Charlotte
Red Line Design Group
Don and Sara Regan
John and Kathleen Schreiber
Dee Schwab
Mike Tharp
Josh and Caroline Trammell
Ubuntu KDCE Foundation
Bill and Barbra Wood
DUDE RANCHERS
($1,000-$2,499)
Anonymous
Bragg Financial Advisors Inc.
Woody and Adria Appleby
Robert and Susan Aulebach
The Mark and Lorri Ayers
Donor Fund
Mary Barry
Ken Bartels and Jane Condon
Jonathan and Drew Beall
Belle Properties
Bonitz Flooring
John and Mary Ann Boorn
Jason Brancato
Cable East
John Cashion
James and Dede Caughman
Chip and Darlene Conrad
Larry Cooper
Tom and Millie Cox
Chad Crockford
The Curry Family Fund
Gwin Dalton
Charles Dannis
Paul Devine
Geoffrey Dohrmann
Matthew and Lolly Dominski
Elizabeth Eaton
Eric and Martha Eubank
Fairfield Chair Company
Doug Faris
Sara Fedyna
Kris and Mary Hahn Fetter
First Citizens Bank & Trust Co.
Brian and Laurie Fitzpatrick
Flooring Solutions
John Fowler
Scott Garmon
Karen Glaser
Harker, LLC
Charlitta Hatch
Thomas Hovis
Ed and Annette Imbrogno
Nora Jaffe
Laughton and Ellen Jones
Mike Kavanagh
Kipp and Stratford Kiger
Vernon Knight
Doug and Donna Knowlton
Bill and Patti Kramer
Mark and Kelsey Lin
Jim and Deborah Lollar
Irwin Macksoud
Al and Lil McAulay
David and Shannon McGahren
Pelar and Susan Metcalf
Donald and Bettilee Miller
Tim Miller
Bill and Amy Millikan
Joel and Bonnie Millikan
Jeff and Deborah Mundy
Thomas and Chris O'Boyle
Joe O'Connor
Pace Development
Terry and Marjorie Russell
Sanofi
Steve and Tobie Sasser
Beverly and Ira J. Schulman
Doug Sheffield
Walter and Libba Sprunt
Paul and Julia Steffens
Robert Stoker
Dave and Bonne Stukey
Allan and Bonnie Sweet
Pete and Lisa Ten Eyck
Chris and Kathy Tzetzo
Keith Wall
Jane Webb
Wells Fargo
Weprin Family Philanthropic Fund of the Dallas Jewish Community Foundation
Kermit Wies
Mike and Chris Wiggins
Robert and Anne Zerbst
CABINMATES ($500-$999)
Robbie Adams
Jill Ammerman
Bank of America Foundation
Lewis Barnhardt
John and Josephine Beall
Keith Bell
Scott and Claire Bingham
Stan and Sally Carder
Dave and Wendy Castagna
Shira and Tracy Charpentier
Dalton and Ashley Cox
John Cox
Smithy and Monta Curry
Claudia Dickman
Jubal and Tina Early
Ronnie Fairclough
Amy Fonville
Pat and Anne Gallagher
John Gaulden
Tom and Alice Gavigan
Connie Kay Gelin
Steve and Emily Getz
Allison Grace
John Hartnett
Brenda Holcomb
Steve and Terri Huntley
Andy and Florence Kane
Alice Kelley
John Lenhart
Jane Lockwood
Bill and Sloane Mayberry
Mark Moseley
Thomas Nealon
Tricia F Phelan
Phil and Denise Poley
Mary Lou Rahn
Chet and Lisa Riddle
Keith and Aline Robelen
Olivia Bea Ross Foundation
Catherine Shaw
Trey Sheridan
Liza and David Sippe
Katherine Stewart
Debbie Stober
Rebecca Taunton
Joe and Rosalind Taylor
John and Mary Tinkey
Brent and Claire Trexler
John Wester
Robert Wiggins
Brent Wolfe
Rob and Susan Zink
HELPING HANDS
($499 and below)
Anonymous
Brooke Adams
Doug Adams
Frank Adams
David Alexander
Allstate Foundation
Mike and Helen Ruth Almond
Rachael Amber
Jean Anderson
Jessica Anderson
Mimi Anderson
Will Anderson
Meredith Russell Anglin
Kelly Archer
Catherine Armstrong
Kristin Arnold
Hayes Ashcraft
John and Jean Asinger
Rand and Addison Ayer
Walter and Jenny Balch
Bradford and Alison Barry
Jillian Barry
Robin Barschow
Gracie Batchelor
Karen Bateson
Ernst Bauer
Kent and Maria-Jose Baum
Andrew Benjamin
Brynn Berg
Diana Bickers
Peter and Karen Billington
Rebekah Bing
Elizabeth and Scott Bivens
William Blair
Bill and Betsy Blue
Michael and Sherrill Bohon
Robert Boorom
Timothy Borst
Scott Boulware
Leigh Bowles
Charles and Mary Bowman
Benton and Alice Bragg
Mallie and Jason Bragg
Karen Breth
Melissa Bryant
Beth Bryson
Richard Burrows
Ann Burton
Bryan Butler
Lucy Butler
Parmele Calame
Nancy Callaway
Robin Callaway
Lauren Campbell
Reid Campbell
Mary Carpenter
Aubrey Carroll
Beth S. Carter
Gay Cass
Bryan Chambers
Matt Chambers
Meredith Chapman
Ed and Kim Cherry
Mary Catherine Chesney
Courtney Christensen
Jerry and Elizabeth Clark
Lauri Clark
Julie Clements
Sarah Cline
Stephanie Cline
Angel Cloninger
Chase Coale
Virginia Cobb
Sydney Coffin
John Connelly
Michael Connor
Kim Conroy
Chris Copeland
Natalie Corrigan
Karen and Jim Cotchett
Katharine Cowan
Sheila Cripps
Gabi Culpepper
John and Judy DaSilva
Katie Davis
Ward and Kristy Davis
Clark Dean
Barbara deButts
Janet Delery
Larry and Paula Delzell
Crystal Dempsey
Christina Desai
David Deterding
Kara Diachenko
Danae Diller
Barbara Dillman
Annie and Steven Dixon
Daniel Donohue
Patricia Doria
Mike and Abbie Dougherty
Christina Dowdy
Lesley Downey
John Drahzal
Frank and Betty Jean Duckett
Dolly Dudley
Sloan Dudley
Connell Dunn
John and Peggy Eckhold
Jane Edens
Bruce and Emily Edwards
Michael and Jennifer Egues
Julie Eiselt
Amy Elaasar
Mary Ann Ellis
Mark Ethridge
Kim Ewert
Steve and Janice Ezzo
Ralph and Nancy Falls
Robert Feldstein
Susan Ferone
John Fesperman
Aloma Fisher
Badell Fisher
Liz Flinn
Tonya Flippin
Tom and Molly Fontana
Adam and Kathryn Ford
Fountain Landscaping
Joseph Fountain Jr.
Matthew Fowler
Michelle Frenzel
Raymond S. Froling
Jenny Fuller
Will Fuller
Frances Furr
Berkeley Gardner
Erik Gelardi
Read Gendler
Gloria Genovese
Jim and Diane Geocaris
Sheri Geraghty
Richard and Mary Gerakitis
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2820 Selwyn Ave., Box 767
Charlotte, NC 28209
CampBlueSkies.org RETURN
Oct. 21: Pickleball For Camp fundraiser (see Page 4)
March:
Hoops For Camp NCAA Bracket Challenge (see Page 4)
Weekend Camp: TBA Williams Syndrome: TBA Georgia: TBA
SERVICE REQUESTED Save These Dates! Find details on CampBlueSkies.org CONTACT US 704-266-2267 | CampBlueSkies.org Contact@CampBlueSkies.org Facebook.com/CampBlueSkiesUSA Instagram.com/CampBlueSkies 2023
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8:
On
(see
7
Sept.
-
Hooked
Camp Fishing Derby fundraiser
Page 4) Oct.
-11: NC Camp #1
Oct. 14-18: NC Camp #2
23:
Dec. 1-Dec. 31: Annual End-Of-Year Giving Campaign 2024 Feb.
Blue Skies Bash Friend- and Fund-raiser (see Page 4)